What wasn’t to like in 2013? I can’t see me
giving up my life as an international bag lady anytime soon – fingers
crossed/touch wood/Dog willing/inshallah…
I saw out the year in Seville, Spain. After
spending a fun week enjoying the company of Oz/HK friends Debra and Tony
(visits to a flamenco dance performance, tour of Seville’s famous bullfight
ring, a number of meals, and two runs with Tony), I hunkered down for three
days of long work hours to finish a big arts project. Today, 1 January 2014, I
came up to Madrid by train for an overnighter before the next stage of my
travels: a month in Marrakech. The museums are closed for the public holiday,
but it’s wet, grey and dismal so I don’t mind just hanging out in my hotel for
the rest of the day. I’ll be back for a week at the start of February.
A quick recap on the year…
I saw in 2013 in Melbourne, where I was
staying in the apartment of friends Barb and Bill while they were in the US. I
had seen my mum and some family and close friends in Albury at Christmas, and
was able to join in the Nightie Before Christmas run with Di, Frannie, Julie,
Jules and other friends. Chris rode his motorbike down on Boxing Day from
Sydney. From Melbourne I went to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, where I saw my
dad and nieces Jaye, Kellie and Cassie.
To Ubud, Bali, for a couple of months, with
a week’s side trip to Sarawak in early March to see my Kuching extended family.
From Kuala Lumpur (on a short visit with
Patrick) to Europe, where I based myself in Florence until nearly the end of
May. In April I flew for a few days to Paris to catch up with the Wees from
Kuching again, who were on an architectural highlights tour of northern Europe.
I ran the Firenze half marathon as a bandit. Side trips to Rome, Venice and
Lake Como. To northern Italy for a night to see Giorgio and Amy, then a
three-day taste of Barcelona, which whet my appetite. A frustrating week back
in Paris followed, where the highlights were two races (20K and 10K) and
catching up with Monique, a friend made in Bali.
To New York for June and July, where I got
back into proper training with the 5.30 a.m. crew and ran in lots of races. Caught
up with friends old and new. Always great to see Dominic. Indulged myself with
lots of films!
August was holiday month. Really enjoyed
running a half marathon in Dublin with Marc, a friend from Chile. Long-time
friend Sarah and I then drove around Ireland for a week. A frenetically busy
fortnight in Wales and England, walking up Mt Snowdon and along the Jurassic
Coast, and seeing more special friends.
To Budapest for September for a rest. Loved
it! Ran a fun half marathon there just as the weather changed from summer to
autumn. Became pals with Jules. Vowed I’d be back. To Vienna for a night and
Prague for four days.
October through to mid-December I was back
in New York, finishing up the racing season and getting guaranteed entry to the
2014 New York City Marathon. Ran the Philadelphia half marathon instead of the
planned marathon, as I hadn’t done the training needed to go the full distance.
I’ll need to remember that this year in August/September… Became good pals with
Brigitte, who fed me at Thanksgiving. Was grateful for a couple of snowfalls,
which made the cold weather bearable. Made note to self not to stay so late in
the year next time…
Just before I came to Spain I spent five
days back in Budapest, which felt familiar and welcoming.
I really want to say thanks to the people
who come into my life and then decide to stick around, even when they know I
can be a real pain in the butt. If I saw you this year and didn’t mention you
by name above, it’s just because I wanted to keep this review brief. Be assured
that you helped make this such a wonderful year for me, and I hope I’ll see you
again soon. I’m always very grateful to Françoise and René, who since
2009 have generously allowed me to live in their home in New York when they are
in Lausanne.
I hope you all have a fabulous 2014.
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